Sooners Conduct Full-Contact Practice

MIAMI, Fla. -- The Oklahoma football team began its first full day in Miami on Tuesday with position meetings at the team hotel. The Sooners then boarded buses for the 20-minute trip to the familiar practice fields at Barry University.

A fleet of police motorcycles accompanied the four team buses as they made their way west. There's no mistaking that the Oklahoma football team is on the move, and the Miami locals dutifully pull over and gawk at the procession.

OU's Police Escort in Miami

It was again cloudy and breezy for OU's second practice in south Florida. The Sooners participated in full-contact drills for over two hours and finished the session with more wind sprints. It's obvious the Sooners intend to play all four quarters on January 4th.

A large contingent of national media and Oklahoma's regular beat writers from back home met with Coach Stoops and players at the conclusion of practice. Jason White, Mark Clayton, Adrian Peterson, Jammal Brown, Jonathan Jackson and Marcus Walker were surrounded by clusters of reporters and cameras.

December 28 Practice & Interview Photos | Practice Video

Most of the other players conducted a short lifting session under the watchful eye of Coach Schmidt under a tent filled with weights before heading for the locker room.

Junior offensive guard Davin Joseph is a popular interview. Joseph, a native of Hallandale, Fla., provides a local angle for the media. Although offensive linemen normally duck individual attention -- and Joseph falls under that category -- he's also one of the most insightful interviews on the team.

Joseph also provided the traditional entertainment prior to the team's stretching routine today. Each practice, as the team comes together to stretch, a chorus of players call for one teammate to take the middle of the field and perform a few dance moves.

For a big man, Joseph pulled out some impressive material -- which naturally elicited hoops of approval from the rest of the team. This team had no problem getting loose after Joseph's performance.

Coach Stoops Meets with Media | Adrian Peterson

After changing, the players and staff enjoyed a late lunch of ribs and seafood before retiring back to the team buses for the ride to Bal Harbour.

Today was our first in Miami to see our team hotel and surroundings in daylight. It's a spectacular setting with beach views from most of the rooms. The surf is up considerably due to the stiff breeze. Right outside our room, a wedding is underway on the beach complete with bagpipes and a bride trying to keep her veil from blowing away.

Footage From Oklahoma's Team Hotel

It's a much different view at night when the city lights up as far as you can see up and down the seaboard.

The players get a few hours off to doze in their rooms before heading for a dinner at Parrot Jungle Island. Obviously, no player will go hungry under the Orange Bowl committee's watch.

Wednesday's schedule appears to be exactly the same as today. We'll post more photos and videos later tonight. Until then, Boomer Sooner from Miami!

- Jason

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SoonerSports.com director Jason Matheson will post daily reports from Miami as the team prepares for the BCS National Championship Game. Follow the Sooners with photo galleries, SoonerVision videos and more at O-Zone Orange Bowl Central.

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